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Common Disabling Conditions

If you or someone you know has Parkinson’s disease (PD) you are not alone. In the United States, 50,000-60,000 new cases of PD are diagnosed each year, adding to the one million people who currently have PD. The Center for Disease control rated complications from Parkinson’s disease as the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. Worldwide, it is estimated that four to six million people suffer from the condition.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder that progresses slowly in most people. What this means is that individuals with PD will be living with PD for twenty years or more from the time of diagnosis. While Parkinson’s disease itself is not fatal, the Center for Disease Control rated complications from the disease as the 14th top cause of death in the United States.

Arthritis is characterized by inflammation of one or more joints. Symptoms include joint pain and stiffness and these symptoms generally worsen as you age. There are several different types of arthritis, affecting people in different ways. The types of arthritis that our office has seen include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

Fibromyalgia is a musculoskeletal disorder consisting of constant debilitating pain in several “trigger points,” or areas of generalized pain and tenderness. In order to be considered for the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, one must exhibit pain to light palpation in 11 of 18 trigger points. Unfortunately, it is unknown what causes fibromyalgia, although several factors are considered including weight, gender, age, and genetics. We often see insurance companies deny claims because of fibromyalgia, citing a lack of objective evidence. While objective evidence generally does not exist in these cases, our office has multiple arguments against the insurance company’s insistence on objective evidence to grant benefits.

Multiple Sclerosis is referred to as an immune-mediated disease which affects the Central Nervous System (CNS). While certain specialists believe MS is an autoimmune disease, other specialists disagree because it is unknown which specific part of the immune system is being attacked by the disease. Symptoms of MS can range from mild to severe and can include numbness and tingling in the limbs, to even paralysis and loss of vision. When a patient has Multiple Sclerosis, the myelin – the fatty sheath protecting the nerve fibers in the CNS – is damaged. This damaged myelin is called “sclerosis.” Myelins surrounding several different nerves are affected, thus the name Multiple Sclerosis.
There are four different courses of Multiple Sclerosis: Relapsing-Remitting MS; Primary-Progressive MS; Secondary-Progressive MS; and Progressive-Relapsing MS. The most common symptoms of MS include fatigue, numbness, gait and balance problems, vision problems, vertigo, pain, cognitive dysfunction, and depression. There are, however, several less common symptoms and you should make sure you cover all symptoms with your physician.

Your Rights in a DUI Case

June 1, 2011

Individuals who are stopped for suspicion of drunk driving are often unaware of their rights. DUI/DWI defense lawyers are well-versed in the laws surrounding drunk driving cases and may be able to assist you in getting your case dismissed. Learn more about your rights.

People who are stopped for DUI may be unaware of their rights, believing they’re required to comply with everything requested by law enforcement. Anyone stopped for drunk driving should understand his or her rights, which unfortunately can be ignored by police. Read on for information about your rights in a DUI/DWI case.

Probable Cause

If you are stopped for DUI, the police must have reason to believe you are intoxicated, by observation of your behavior or your driving. Without probable cause, any information or evidence obtained by police during a suspected DUI stop is not permissible in court. For more information about what constitutes probable cause in DUI/DWI cases, consult with drunk driving defense lawyers in your state.

Miranda Rights

Miranda rights refer to a landmark case where courts ruled that law enforcement officers must advise suspects of their constitutional rights before further questioning. This includes “the right to remain silent.” If you are stopped for drunk driving, you should decline to answer questions, and ask to contact a DUI/DWI defense lawyer.

Sobriety Testing

Chemical testing and observational testing are used by law enforcement to determine sobriety when stopping individuals on suspicion of drunk driving. Most DUI/DWI defense lawyers recommend that you submit to breath, blood, or urine tests, but advise against field sobriety tests such as balance or coordination, due to questions about their scientific integrity.

Don’t Answer Questions

You are not required to answer law enforcement questions during a drunk driving stop, other than your name, identification, and proof of insurance. DUI/DWI defense lawyers recommend that you politely decline to answer all questions until you have a chance to contact your attorney.

Don’t Admit Anything

Although you might feel intimidated by the presence of law enforcement during a DUI stop, remember that the law is on your side. You do not have to admit anything or answer any questions. You should ask to speak to a drunk driving defense lawyer, then remain silent.

Ask to Speak with an Attorney Immediately

If you have been stopped for suspected DUI, you should know that you are allowed to contact an attorney immediately. A confidential call to a qualified DUI lawyer before answering any questions is the best way to protect yourself in a DUI case.

Submit to Breath or Blood Alcohol Tests

In many states, harsh penalties are levied for refusing to take a breath or blood alcohol test if a police officer suspects you have been drunk driving. Most DUI/DWI defense lawyers recommend that you then submit to chemical tests, particularly if it is your first DUI stop.

Request Independent Samples

If you are stopped for DUI, police will take breath or blood alcohol tests. But you have the right to request additional tests from an independent source. Although authorities are not required to release you, the fact of your request may help your case. Remember to contact a DUI defense lawyer right away.

Request Release from Custody for an Independent Blood Test

If you believe that an independent blood test will help your case, you should request release from police custody. Proceed to a hospital and request a blood draw. Even if you pay out of pocket for this service, it is within your rights and may be worthwhile to help your case.

Contact a DUI/DWI Lawyer in Your State

drunk driving arrests are fraught with procedural requirements that often get overshadowed in the heat of the moment. The most important thing to remember is that you have the right to request an attorney. If you are arrested for drunk driving, contact DUI/DWI defense lawyers in your state for legal guidance.

DISCLAIMER

This site does not provide legal advice or services. Rather, it is for informational purposes only. Use of any information on this site is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship. Do not act on the information provided on this site without seeking legal counsel.

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McDermott LawThe insurance dispute lawyers at McDermott Law, LLC are dedicated to aggressively representing the rights of individuals with short and long term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), Colorado PERA and other insurance denials and bad faith claims. - See more at: https://colorado-disability-lawyer.com/#sthash.nkLAAtnN.dpufadmin@mcdermottlaw.net

The insurance dispute lawyers at McDermott Law, LLC are dedicated to aggressively representing the rights of individuals with short and long term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), Colorado PERA and other insurance denials and bad faith claims. - See more at: https://colorado-disability-lawyer.com/#sthash.nkLAAtnN.dpuf